Gas-engine.



P. W. REEVES. @As ENGINE.

APPLICATION FILED FEB. 29, 1908.

4 SHBETS-SHEBT 2.

Patented Sept. 7, 1909.

- BEEETE-SHEET 3.

F. W. REEVES. GAS BNGIN PPLIUATIONMLBD rm. 29, me.

uvam @of agg F. W. REEVES.

GAS ENGINE. APPLICATION FILEn 113,29, 1902.

mmm spt, 7, 1999. i SHEEE-SHSET 4.

, To (LZ1 'whom it may concern;

rREpEnIoK w. REEVES, or

PITTSBURGL PENN s YL'VNI-A..

leres-ENGINE.v l

.Specification of Letters Patent. Patented Sept. "i, 1909.

Application mea February 29, 190e. serial No. 413,479.

Be it known that LFREDERICK W.' REEVES, a citizen ofthe United States,residing at Pittsburg, N. S., in the county of Allegheny and- State ofPennsylvania, .have invented certain new and` useful Improvements inGas-Engines, of which the following is a specification.

My invention relates to improvements in gas engines ofv the two cycletype.

The invention has for its object the provision of an engine capable ofproducing greater power in proportion to cylinderarea and fuelconsumption than heretofore,

adapted to give complete combustion under compression every secondstroke of the piston, followed by a more perfect exhaust of the burnedgases than heretofore, as well as completely eliminate back-firing, andmaintain as perfect operation as possible at variable speeds and undervariable loads and provide for simplicity of construction, opxeration,etc.

In the accompanying drawings, which form a part of this specification,Inhave illustrated my invention in various ways, wherein,

Figure I, is a side elevation of my improved engine, partly in section.Fig. III, is a similar view with a more complete disclosure in section.Fig. IH, is also a side elevation, at right angles to the aforesaidviews, the greater portion of which is shown 1nl sectlon. Fig. IV, 1s aplan view partly I in section, like detail parts of said views beingdesignated by like numerals of reference. e

The invention comprises in structure, a vertically disposed and dividedcrank case or primary compression extension chamber 1, integral with thebed-plate 2, and pro` vided at its opposite sides with openings 3 whichare closed by heads 4, the sides of said casing or chamber havingbearings 5 formed thereon-to receive the crank shaft 6, said crank shaftcarrying a y-wheel 7 at one end and a valve actuating cam 8 at theother. Mounted upon said crank case, or primary chamber extension, is acylinder 9 which is secured thereto by bolts 10, the interior of saidcylinder being dividedl into two chambers, namely, the chamber 11 whichis the primary compression chamber proper,

.-,grovided with oppositely disposed auxiliary by-passes 12 at its base,and the combustion chamber13 of lesser diameter than the primarychamber, said chambers having operatively arranged therein a pistonprovided with a large. head 14 at its lower end to fit the primarychamber and a lesser head 15 at the intermediate portion 16, between theheads, being further reduced in diameter to form, with the surroundingchamber walls, a secondary compression and transfer chamber thereabout,said piston being closedvat 1,7, carried thereby, to the crank 18 of theaforesaid' crank shaft, through the medium of the connecting rod 19. yAt the shouldered Aportion 20, in the walls of the secondary compressionchamber, is formed a port 21, which communicates with the primarycompression chamber by means Vof a suitable passage Way or by-pass`l22,having a valve chamber 23 included therein and containing a valve-24normally held upon its seat 25, by a' spiral spring 26, said primarycompression chamber extension or crank case, communicating at itsopposite side with an air and gas 'mixing chamber 27 having a valvev 2Stherein which vis normally time closing the inlet 31 of the fuel supplyline 32, the volume' of fuel ,gas passing through the inlet beingcontrolled-by a needle valve 33.' i

lVi'thin the combustion chamber, at dia- -metrically opposite points,are 'formed vertically, disposed groove-like Iports or bybelow the upperhead of the piston, when saidpiston is in its extreme upper position,said chamber being further provided with transversely disposed openingsformed in its fitted sparkV plugs 36, the inner terminals ondary coil 37o f any suitable spark coil38,

primary coil 39 having connected in itsy circuit brushes 40 and 40 toengage a suitable make-and-break device 42 arranged upon and adapted tobe rotated by the crank shaft.

Integral with the aforesaid cylinder 9 is an extension 9 containing anexhaust chamber 43 and attending outlet leading from the ,'conibustionchamber to the atmosphere, said chamber havin a valve seat 44 therein,upon upon a stem 46, which stemhas a flattened held upon its seat 29,over the air inlet pipe. 30, by a spiral spring 30 and at the same 1 ipasses 34, which Aextend to av point slightly' walls, at the top of saidports, into which are thereof being attached to the ends of the sec-lits upper end to fit the combustion chamber,

its upper e`nd and connected by a wrist-pin preferably of thenon-vibrating form, the

which is norma ly seated a vvalve 45 mounted portion Ll-G passing downthrough a guide bearing -l attached to the cylinder, and carries aroller 4:8 at'its 'extremity which engages the yaforesaid cam S, saidvalve stem having thereon an adjustable sleeve 49 which engages ahelical spring 5() under tension to hold and retain the valve to itsseat.

ln operation, if it be assumed that the piston is upon its extremeupward stroke, as shown. then the said piston upon its downward strokecauses rapid enlargement of the secondary compression chamber betweenits heads, which tends to create a vacuum in said chamber, at the sametime the down` ward movement of the piston causes conipression of thecombustible mixture lcontained in the primary chamber and attend'- ingcrank-case, which coaction of suction and pressure causes the chargeunder com` pression to escape up through the by-pz` -s or transferpassage 22, raising the valve 24:, and passes into the aforesaidsecondary compres` sion chamber about the piston, and when the lowerhead of the piston passes the auxiliary lay-passes l2,.the combustiblemixture will also pass therethrough into the secondary compressionchamber relieving the pressure on the valve 24;, thus causing the said-valve to resume' its seat owing to the tension of the spring andpressure of the combustible mix` ture acting upon the upper sidethereof, preparatory to the piston startingupon its upward stroke. Uponthe upward stroke of the piston, the auxiliary by-passes 12 becomeyclosed as the head 14 of 'the piston mov-cs thereovei, the charge inthe compression chamber becomes further compressed and upon said pistonreaching its extreme upper movement, orimmediately before d0- ing so,the charge in the secondary compression cliainberescapes into the nowdeci-eas'- ing space of the combustion chamber, by way of the ports 3st,as indicated by the arrows at Fig. I A. Now as the piston begins itsnext downward movement, the head 15 thereof, closes the said ports 34,and immediately following this closure of the said ports, the circuit'in the primary coil is broken, followed by a spark between the plugterminals of each of the oppositely disposed spark vplugs and consequentcombustion of the mixture under compression in the said chamber, theresultant force 'of `'which acts upon and drives the piston downward.Immediately before the piston reaches its extreme lower movement, thehigh portion of the cam 8 will engage the roller, on the valve stem,causinc` said roller to ride thereupon and lift the valzve l5 from-itsseat in the exhaust passage,- and upon the piston moving .upward asuction will be created in the @flank case,

'causing a new charge .of combustible mixture to be drawn thereinthrough the valve chamber 27, followed by theoperation previously setforth', and before the head 15 of the piston uncovers the ports 34, thehigh portion of the cani will h'ave-passedfrom be- 'i neath the rollerupon the valve stem, thus permitting`- the exhaust valve to close'preparatory to or immediately before the next charge is received in thecombustion chamber, said exhaust valve being assisted to its f'seat bythe action of the spring 50.

yIn an engine constructed and operated, as

set forth, more perfect exhaust .of the residual burned gases isattained owing to the exhaust port being controlled by means other thanthe piston, as is the case in most in-.

position, commingl'ing of the new chargewith any residual spent gases,usually residing therein, is-preventled, thus giving better combustionand consequent increase in power, which result is furthered by brinffmgthe charge into the combustion chamber Y rom opposite points to meet inthe center, vthereby causing the charge to move more' rapidly and bemore elfectually diffused in the-center of the chamber than otherwise.Furthermore, by'v placing spark plugs, one opposite the other in thecombustion chamber, with like terminals of each grounded through-thecylinder, and connecting the other like terminals to the ends of thesecondary coil to form plural gaps or breaks in the circuit, t'ogetherwith the use of brushes connected direct in the primary' circuit.without grounding through the iron structure, it has been found thatmuch better results are attained than otherwise.

By reducing the diameter of thepistoii between" its heads, so as toform, with the surrounding chamber walls, a secondary compression( andtransfer chamber the erigine is greatly simplified' in structure, ismore compact, etc.

' `Having thus fully shown and described my invention, what I claim asnew and desire to secure by Letters Patent is: I

1,. In a gas engine, a cylinder forming a primary compression ,chamberand .a coni,- bustion chamber, the latter of lesser diameter than theformer, and a piston operatingA in the respective chambers theintermediate portion of which4 is of less diameter thanits Sina-llerhead, adapted, with the surrounding chamber walls, to form a secondarycompression chamber and convey the charge therein to the combustionchamber, said combustion chamber bei-ng'provided with Aports adapted tocommunicate with said secondary conipression chamber to transfer thecharge to .the combustion chamber immediately before the piston reachesits extreme limit of stroke toward the said combustion chamber, saidpri-mary and `,secondary chambers having means of communicationtherebetween to permit the charge to pass from the former to the latter.

Q. In a gas engine,

bastion chamber being provided with ports in its walls adapted ton totransfer the charge from the secondary compression chamber tothecombustion chamber immediately before the piston 'reaches its extremelimit'of" stroke toward the said combustion chamberand said valveadapted to open the exhaust a cylinder forming a primary compressionchamber and a oombustion chamber, the latter of lesser diameter thantheformer, and a piston operating in the res )ective lchambers theintermediate portion of which is reduced in diameter and adapted, withthe surrounding chamber Walls, to form a secondary compression. chamberand convey the charge therein to the combustion chamber, said combustionchamber being provided with ports adapted to be opened by the piston totransfer the charge from the secondary compression chamber to thecombustion chamber immediately before the piston reaches its extremelimit. of stroke tor'vard the said combustion chamber, said primary andsecondary chambers having means of Aconnnunication therebetween topermit the charge to pass from the former to the latter.

ln a gas engine` acylinder forming a primary*` compression chamber and acombustion chamber, the latter of lesser diameter thauthe former andprovided 'with an exhaust outlet, a piston operating in the respectivechambers the intermediate portion of which is reduced in diameter andadapted, with the surrounding chamber walls, to form a secondarycompression chamber and convey the charge therein to the combustionchai'nber, a valve controlling the exhaust outlet, means to actuate saidvalve, and plural igniting means in said combustion chamber, saidcombustion chamber being provided with ports adapted to be opened by thepiston to transfer the charge limit of stroke in the opposite directionand remain open until immediately before the transfer of the charge tothe combustion chamber, said primary and secondary chambers having meansof communication ytherebetween to' permit. the charge to pass from theformer to the latter. y

In^a gas engine, a cylinder forming a primary compression chamber and-acom'- bustion chamber, a crank` case connected to and forming anextepeionto vthe primary compression chamber, said combustion chamberbeing of less diameter than the primary. exhaust chamber havingv a valvethere-in, a pistou operating in the said combustion and primary chambersthe intermediate portion of which is reduced in diameter and adapted,with the surrounding chamber Wall'sto form a secondary compression"Chamberland convey the charge therein to the` combustion chamber, andmeans to actuatethe exhaust valve, said secondary compression chamberhaving a valve controlled passage the sa me and the primary compressionchami with ports'in its walls adapted to be opened by the piston totransfer the charge from the secondary compression chamber to saidcombustion ch amber immediately before the pisfrom the secondarycompression chamber to ton reaches its extreme limit 0f stroke tothecombustion chamber immediately before l ward the combustion chamber, andsaid cX- the piston reaches its extreme limit of stroke haust valveadapted to open the exhaust outtoward the said combustion chamber, andlet immediately before the piston reaches its said yalve adapted to openthe exhaust outextreme limit of stroke in the opposite direcletimmediately before the piston rea-ches its tion and remain open untilimmediately beeXtreme limit of stroke in the opposite difore thetransfer of the charge to the comrection and remain open untilimmediately bastion chamber. l

before the transfer of the charge to the com- G. In a gas engine, acylinder forming 'a busti'on chamber, said primary and secondprimary=compression chamber and' a comary chambers having,- means ofcommunicabustion chamber, a crank case connected to non therebetween topermit the charge re and forming an extension to the Said ppl-1- passfrom the former to the latter. l mary compression cliamber,saidcombustion 4.111 a gas engine, "a cylinder forming a chamber being oflesser diameter thalrthe primary compression chamber and a comprimarycompressionchamber and provlded bustion chamber, the latter of lesserdiameter With an exhaust outlet, a piston operating in than the formerand provided with an ethe said combustion and primary".chambers` haustoutlet, a piston operating in the rethe intermediate portion of which 1sreduced 'spective' 'chamberU the intermediate portion in diameter andadapted, with the surroundof which is reduced in diameter and adapted,ing` chamber Walls to form a secondary com- With the surrdunding chamberWalls, to form pression chamber and convey the charge a secondarycompression chamber and conthcrein t6 the combustion' chamber, a valvein said exhaust-outlet, and means to operate said valve, said lsecondarycompression chamber having a valve controlled passage between the sameand the primary compression vey the charge therein to the combustionchamber, a valve controlling the exhaust` outs let, and independentmeans to aetuate the said valve in opposite directions, said comto beopened by the pisr v outlet immediately before the piston reaches itsextreme A impression chamber and provided With an A ber, said combustionchamber being provided chamber and .being further provided withauxiliary ports controlled by the piston and adapted to communicate Withthe said secondary compression chamber for transferring the charge fromthe primary chamber thereto', `said combustion chamber being providedwith ports adaptedto be opened by the piston to transfer the charge fromthe secondary compression chamber thereto imvmediately before the pistonreaches its extreme limit of stroke toward the combustion chamber, andsaid valve adapted to open the exhaust outlet immediately before thepiston reaches its extreme limit of stroke in the opposite direction andremain open until immediately before'the transfer of the charge to thecombustion chamber.

7. In a gas engine, a cylinder forming a primary com ression chamber anda combustion cham er, the latter of lesser diameter than the former andprovided with indee pendent transfer and exhaust ports, a pistonoperating in the respective chambers the intermediate portion of Whichis reduced in diameter and adapted, With the surrounding chamber Walls,to form a secondary compression chamber and convey the charge therein jsaid combustion chamber, said primary and v secondary chambers havingmeans of communicat-ion therebetween to permit the' charge to pass fromthe former to the latter.

In a gas engine, a cylinder forming a primary compression chamber and acombustion chamber, the latter oflesser'diameter than the former, and apiston 'operating in the respective chambers the intermediate portion ofwhich is adapted, With the adjacent chamber Walls, to formI a secondary.compression chamber and convey the charge therein to the combustionchamber, said combustion chamber having means located in the path of andadapted to be opened by the piston'to transfer the charge therein to thecombustion chamber immediately before the piston reaches its extremelimit of stroke toward the same, said primary and secondary chambershaving means of communication therebetween to permit the charge to passfrom the former to the latter.

El. ln a gas engine, a cylinder forming a primary compression chamberand a combustion chamber, the latter of lesser diameter than the former,a piston operating in the respective chambers the intermediate porcvtion of which is adapted, with the adjacent chainbci Walls, to form asecondary compression chamber and convey the'chargc thereiny tothe'combustion chamber, and plural means of igniting the charge arrangedin said combustion chamber, said Acombustion chamber being provided withports located in the path o and adapted to be opened by t e piston totransfer the char e in thev secondary compression chamber t ieretoimmediately before the piston reaches its extreme limit of stroke towardthe same, said primary and secondary chambers havingA means ofcommunication therebetween to permit the charge to pass from the formerto the latter.

10. In a gas engine, a cylinder forming a primary compression chamberand a combustion chamber, the latter of lesser diameter than the formerand provided with a valve controlled exhaust port, a piston operating intheres ective chambeis the intermediate portion opwhich is adapted, withthe adjacent chamber Walls, to form a secondary compression chamber andconvey the charge i therein to the combustion chamber, and plural meansof igniting the charge arranged in said combustion chamber, saidcombustion chamber being further provided with charge receiving portslocated in the' path of and adapted to be opened by the piston totransfer the charge in the secondary compression AChamber theretoimmediately before the piston reaches its extreme limit of stroke towardthe same, said primary and secondary chambers having means ofcommunication therebetween to permit the charge to pass from the formerto t-he latter.

11. In a gas engine, a cylinder forming a rimary compression chamber anda com` liustion chamber, a crank case'connected to and forming anextension' to the prim'ary compression chamber, said combustion chamberbeing 'of lesser diameter than the primary compression chamber andprovided with an exhaust outlet having a valve therein, a pistonoperating in the saidcomb'ustion and compression chambers theintermediate portion of which is reduced in diameter and adapted, withthe surrounding chamber walls, to form a secondary compression chamberand convey the charge therein to the combustion chamber, means tovactuate the valve, and plural igniting means arranged in saidcombustion chamber, said combustion chamber being further provided Withcharge receiving ports arranged in the path of and adapted to be-openedby the piston to transfer the charge from the secondary compressionchamber to the combustion chamber immediately before the piston reachesits extreme limit of stroke toward the combustion chamber, and saidvalve adapted to open the exaust outlet immediately before the pistonreaches its extreme limit of stroke in the opposite direction and remainopen until immediately before the transfer of the charge to thecombustion` chamber, said primary and secondary chambers having meansof'communication there.-

vvto immediately before the piston extreme limit of stroke toward thesame, and

between to permit the charge to pass from the former to the latter.

12. In a gas engine, a cylinder forming a primary com ression chamberand a combustion cham er, a crank case connected to and forming anextension to the said primary compression chamber, said combustionchamber being of lesser diameter than the primary compression chamberand provided with an exhaust outlet, a piston operating in the saidcombustion and compression chambers` the intermediate portion of whichis reduced in diameter and adapted, with the surrounding walls of thechambers, to form a secondary compression chamber and con- Vey thecharge therein to the combustion chamber, a valve in said `exhaustoutlet, means to operate the same, and plural igniting meansl arrangedin said combustion chamber, said secondary compression chamber having avalve controllml passage between the same and the primary compressionchamber and being ilirther provided with auxiliary ports controlled bythe piston and adapted to communicate with said secondarycompressionrchamber for transferring the charge from the lprimarychamber thereto, Said combustion chamber being provided with ports inthe path of and ada )ted to be opened by the piston to transfer' tliecharge in the secondary compression chamber therereaches lita positedirection and remain open until immediately before the" transfer of thecharge to the combustion chamber.

12S. ln a gas engine, a cylinder forming a prnnary compression chamberand a coinbustion chamber, the .latter of lesser diameter than the'former and providedwith plural igniting means therein, and a pistonoperat ing` in the respective chambers the intermedi ate portion ofwhich is adapted, With the chamber walls, to form a secondarycompression chamber and convey the charge therein to the combustionchamber, said combustion chamber being provided ,Withports adapted tocomnnmicate with said secondary compression chamber to transfer thecharge to the combustion 'chamber immediately before the piston reachesits extreme limit of stroke toward the said combustion chamber, saidprimary and secondary chambers having means of comi-nnnicationtherebetweenl to permit. the charge to pass from the former to thelatter.

, In testimony whereof I afiix my signature in presence of twowitnesses.

l FREDERICK W. REEV CS.

Witnesses It. S. HAiiirisoN,

D. B. OAKS.

